Category: Los Angeles

(Ashley Landis / Associated Press) April 3, 2024 10:49 AM PT TORONTO —  LeBron James, speaking to reporters after the Lakers beat the Raptors in Toronto, said his son Bronny has “tough decisions” in front of him in regards to his future. Erroneous reports surfaced Tuesday that Bronny James entered the transfer portal. Sources familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly said anything regarding James’ future at USC is premature. “I don’t know where it came from but at the end of the day, Bronny is his own man and he has some tough decisions to make and when he’s ready to make those decisions, he’ll let us all know,” LeBron James said. “But as his family, we’re going to support whatever he does.” In his first season at USC, Bronny James played in 25 games, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He averaged 19.3 minutes per game and started six times. James returned to game action on Dec. 10 after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a summer workout. He later underwent a procedure for a congenital heart defect. USC coach

Applying to college and navigating the financial aid process is never easy, especially for first-generation students. But this year has been unusually challenging because of problems with the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. As the leader of an organization working to ensure that California students get the financial aid that will allow them to achieve their college dreams, I’m deeply concerned that so many students and families have been struggling to complete their applications. California is experiencing a precipitous drop in aid applications compared with last year, second only to Tennessee’s as of early March. The Times reported huge year-over-year declines in the number of L.A. area high school students completing their applications. The problem has been especially dire for roughly 100,000 California student applicants with a parent or spouse who does not have a Social Security number, which is common among families that include relatively recent immigrants. For many months, it was impossible for these families to complete their applications. The U.S. Department of Education announced a solution for them last month, but the online application remains

Dear Bob Iger: Congratulations on preventing billionaire Nelson Peltz and his band of “activist investors” from joining Disney’s board of directors. Now please don’t hand Peltz a cultural victory by embracing his antiquated (read: racist, sexist, homo-/transphobic) notions of what future Disney products should look like. He couldn’t have been more open about it: “Why do I have to have a Marvel that’s all women?” Peltz said of the Disney-owned superhero juggernaut in a recent, oft-quoted interview with the Financial Times. “Not that I have anything against women, but why do I have to do that? Why can’t I have Marvels that are both? Why do I need an all-Black cast?” How about, “Because the stories demanded it?” Or, “Because for decades, Hollywood has drowned us in all-white and/or all-male movies and it’s beyond time that changed.” In his six-month battle to stake a claim in the House of Mouse, Peltz criticized many choices made during the company’s recent history, which has been, as my colleague Meg James detailed this week, rather more than tumultuous. The 2019 purchase of Fox, that year’s rather late-in-the-game launch

Walt Disney Co. fought off a bruising challenge from billionaire investor Nelson Peltz as shareholders delivered their overwhelming support for chief executive Bob Iger and the company’s nominated board members. In Disney’s most consequential board election in 20 years, Peltz fell short in his long-shot bid to wrangle a seat on the board. Preliminary results showed that Peltz mustered about 31% of the vote, according to a person close to the election but not authorized to comment. In contrast, Iger received a resounding 94% of shareholders’ support — a decisive victory that reinforces his popularity among large institutional investors as well as small shareholders who are nostalgic for the company, its stories and theme parks. Three-quarters of “retail” shareholders (as opposed to larger institutional investors, such as mutual funds) voted in support of Disney’s slate of 12 nominees, including Iger, for the board. Peltz’s ally, former Disney executive Jay Rasulo, also was snubbed by shareholders, along with a slate of three candidates offered by the smaller activist investor Blackwells Capital., Vote totals were preliminary; final results must be certified and filed with the Securities &

Standing in front of a Fairfax neighborhood home now known as “trash house” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday said city crews would begin clearing the debris “today.” “I don’t want to hear about any process or whatever, this to me is a public health emergency,” the mayor said.  Neighbors have told KTLA they’ve been complaining about the odorous plastic trash bags piled high in front of the home in the 600 block of North Martel Avenue for months but officials had not taken action. A Sky5 image shows piles of trash in the front yard of a Fairfax home on April 2, 2024. (KTLA) Trash is seen in the front yard of a Fairfax home on April 2, 2024. (KTLA) Trash is seen in the front yard of a Fairfax home on April 2, 2024. (KTLA) A Sky5 image shows piles of trash in the yard of a Fairfax home on April 2, 2024. (KTLA) However, one day after media outlets including KTLA brought attention to the issue, local Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky said her team would work “with urgency” to resolve the issue.

Disney shared new concept art of the “Avatar” experience slated to come to the Disneyland Resort, during the company’s annual shareholders meeting Wednesday. Disney shared new concept art of the Avatar experience slated to come to the Disneyland Resort. (Disney) In March, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that an Avatar-based land similar to Pandora-The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida could be coming to “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Disneyland is moving away from gas-powered cars for Autopia attraction “We have one Avatar-based land, Pandora, in Florida; we’re going to put a second one in California. That doesn’t mean we can’t put one somewhere in Asia or somewhere in Europe, for instance,” Iger said during the event, according to Scott Gustin, a member of the digital team at Nexstar Media Group Inc. Nexstar Media Group Inc. is the parent company of KTLA. Iger initially announced plans to bring an “Avatar experience” to the Disneyland Resort in 2023, but specific details on what that experience will have been limited. Last May, it was announced that James Cameron, director of the Avatar movies, had

The teen killed by deputies in Victorville Tuesday was a foster youth experiencing a mental health issue, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus announced in a Wednesday morning press conference. The 17-year-old boy, whose identity has not been released, was a resident of Hesperia, though he had been involuntarily committed using a 5150 hold three days before the deadly encounter after he cut his wrists. While being transported from a local hospital to a mental care facility, the teen “absconded” from medical care and showed up at the home of his two sisters, who are also in the foster care system but who live in a separate home in Victorville, Dicus said. Body camera footage shared by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department shows deputies attempt to take a teen boy into custody on April 2, 2024. The sisters’ parents reported the teen as a trespasser, but he locked himself in a bathroom inside the home. Armed with a knife, the boy threatened to harm himself, and given the small space, deputies were unable to use stun guns. Instead, after half an hour of trying

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. By Matt Richardson Edited By Joshua Rodriguez Updated on: April 3, 2024 / 1:50 PM EDT / CBS News By opening a high-yield savings account now savers can take advantage of today’s elevated rate climate. Getty Images When looking for a safe and effective way to grow your money, a high-yield savings account is considered one of the better options. These accounts come with higher rates than many other savings vehicles, allowing savers to access their money as they would with most other types. But the timing behind a potential account opening needs to be right.  If you were to open a high-yield savings account in 2020 or 2021, for example, when the interest rate climate was significantly lower, your earnings would have been minimal. But the interest rate climate of recent years has been more favorable for these accounts, although that window of opportunity could soon be closing. With that understanding, it can make sense for many to open a high-yield savings account this

As a self-described survivor of human trafficking who runs an organization dedicated to helping others affected by the crime, Debra Rush said she’s heard the same story many times: A troubled young person flees home and ends up being forced into sex work and targeted with violence on the streets of Los Angeles. Only Rush is now coping with a different version of the familiar tragedy — one where her own daughter is the victim. Kendra Rush, 20, was shot to death nearly two weeks ago in a stretch of South L.A. known as a hub of the city’s sex trade. (Debra Rush) Police say Kendra was standing near the corner of Figueroa and West 70th streets when someone walked up and shot her in the head just after 4 a.m. on March 21. Bystander footage posted online showed a woman watching as paramedics performed CPR on the 20-year-old, a look of grave concern on the woman’s face. Kendra was pronounced dead at the scene. Her slaying occurred against a backdrop of broader debate over how to protect workers from violence, which has revealed cracks

Lizzo said she isn’t letting critics and negativity get in the way of pursing “the joy of my life”: creating music and sharing it with listeners. The “Truth Hurts” and “Rumors” singer, 35, reassured fans that her music is here to stay despite declaring in an Instagram statement last week, “I QUIT.” The Grammy winner, facing a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, clarified her stance in a brief video shared Tuesday afternoon. “I wanna make this video because I just need to clarify: When I say ‘I quit,’ I mean I quit giving any negative energy, attention,” said the singer, who was wearing a plunging electric blue bodysuit from her Yitty shapewear line. Lizzo (birth name Melissa Viviane Jefferson) said she wants to continue making music in hopes of motivating others to also move past negativity. Before three former dancers sued the singer in August 2023, Lizzo built her empire on self-empowerment and positivity, releasing feel-good songs such as “Juice” and “Good as Hell.” Lizzo said on Tuesday that it’s her goal to give listeners the confidence to “stand up for

Anya Taylor-Joy confirmed Monday that she got married — two years ago — and it’s no April Fools’ joke. “The Queen’s Gambit” and “Super Mario Bros. Movie” star shared details about her Big Easy nuptials on Instagram, posting images from the romantic day to mark her second wedding anniversary with her husband, musician Malcolm McRae. “Two years ago, on April Fools, I secretly married my best friend in New Orleans,” the 27-year-old wrote. “The magic of that day is ingrained in every cell of my being, forever.” “Happy second ( first ) anniversary my love…you’re the coolest,” she added. In a video clip, Taylor-Joy plays with her delicate veil and shows off her wedding gown, a custom Dior confection that she said was “beautifully embroidered with our love story.” A close-up of the dress showed a hummingbird embroidered onto the corset. Her post also showcased a plate of graphic desserts, which Taylor-Joy confirmed were “anatomically correct heart cakes.” “Yes, I am the vampire Lestat,” she said, quipping about Anne Rice’s infamous literary character. She also shared an Instagram story of her crossing arms with her

‘Unseasonably cold’: April storm bringing winter temps, low snow levels to California Hikers enjoy a scenic view of wildflowers, the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, wildlife and an ocean view in the opposite direction while hiking through Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach on Tuesday. A cold storm will bring more snow to SoCal. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) It might feel like spring Wednesday, with highs across Los Angeles reaching into the high 70s, but Thursday is going to be a “shock to the system,” weather experts say. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday are expected to drop 15 to 20 degrees from Wednesday’s highs as a cold storm blows across California, bringing low-elevation snow, showers and the potential for severe thunderstorms. Some Southern California areas could feel historic low temperatures Friday, National Weather Service Meteorologist Mike Wofford said. “With the system coming in, we’re going to see a dramatic drop [in temperatures] tomorrow,” Wofford said Wednesday from the weather service’s Oxnard office. “[There will be] an almost 20-degree drop in temperatures, and even cooler on Friday.” Highs across most inland areas Wednesday

Pepsi Maple Syrup, the ultra-exclusive soda that debuted in 2022, is now available at IHOP locations nationwide. “As the leader in breakfast, we are continually innovating and expanding our menu to ensure we are introducing menu items our guests want, including the introduction of fun and exciting new beverage options like Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola,” Chef Art Carl, vice president of culinary at IHOP, said in a statement. The drink is described as the “perfect blend of maple syrup-flavored indulgence with the crisp, refreshing caramel notes of Pepsi,” (IHOP) The drink is described as the “perfect blend of maple syrup-flavored indulgence with the crisp, refreshing caramel notes of Pepsi,” a news release said. In March 2022, IHOP and Pepsi collaborated on the breakfast-themed soda but only 2,000 people got to try the unique flavor. This time around, the drink won’t be available in cans but as a fountain drink option for IHOP guests. IHOP customers can order the drink on its own or get it as a float. IHOP collaborates with Girl Scout Cookies on new pancake flavor In addition to the new drink option

Mail theft on the rise as USPS fails to secure keys for mailboxes – CBS News Watch CBS News Mail theft complaints have jumped 327% since 2018 and a big part of the problem stems from the keys USPS uses for mailboxes. National consumer correspondent Ash-Har Quraishi has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Gen Z ditching 4-year colleges for trade schools, Wall Street Journal reports – CBS News Watch CBS News Gen Z is increasingly saying no to degrees from four-year colleges and universities and instead going the trade school route, according to new reporting from the Wall Street Journal which dubs Gen Z as “the toolbelt generation.” Te-Ping Chen, the Wall Street Journal reporter who wrote the story, joined CBS News to discuss the trend. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

By Kerry Breen April 3, 2024 / 12:44 PM EDT / CBS News Tracing family trees to catch killers Inside the genetic genealogy being used to solve crimes 13:49 A decades-old cold case has been solved after detectives were able to identify a body found in 1978 as that of a missing Iowa teenager.  Police said the body of “Lincoln County Jane Doe” was found in 1978. The remains were found in the Mississippi River, near Elsberry, Missouri, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. An autopsy determined that the body was that of a White woman, believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, who had died by drowning. It was determined that the remains had been in the river for about four months, the sheriff’s office said.  Only a few details could be determined about the remains. The body found was wearing a cat’s eye ring and had a tattoo that appeared to say “Dee,” police said, but attempts to identify the remains at the time failed. The remains were buried under a headstone that read “Lincoln County Jane

April 3, 2024 / 12:42 PM EDT / CBS News London — London’s renowned British Museum is facing an investigation by the United Kingdom’s information watchdog over claims that it has not been transparent about a collection of sacred Ethiopian altar tablets held away from public view for more than 150 years. The museum has housed the 11 wood and stone tabots — replicas of the Ark of the Covenant — since they were looted from Ethiopia by British forces following the Battle of Maqdala in 1868.  According to the museum, the tabots are “believed by Ethiopian Christians to be the dwelling place of God on Earth, the mercy seat described in the Bible, and the representation of the Ark of the Covenant.” The ancient Ark of the Covenant, according to Jewish tradition, contained the 10 Commandments. If and when consecrated, a tabot is typically kept in a church’s Holy of Holies, an inner sanctum that only senior clergy are permitted to enter. Because of their sacred nature, the tabots have never been put on public display by the British Museum. Priests lead a procession of

One person is dead following a large fire at an abandoned home in Santa Ana. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, firefighters were dispatched to the 2000 block of North Bush Street in Santa Ana just after 2:50 a.m. Wednesday morning. One person died after a large fire tore through an abandoned home in Santa Ana, California. (OCFA via Storyful) One person died after a large fire tore through an abandoned home in Santa Ana, California. (OCFA via Storyful) One person died after a large fire tore through an abandoned home in Santa Ana, California. (OCFA via Storyful) One person died after a large fire tore through an abandoned home in Santa Ana, California. (OCFA via Storyful) Crews arrived to find flames ripping through the roof and completely engulfing the home on all sides, according to video posted on X, formerly Twitter, by the OCFA public information officer.  Body of missing California woman found in desert a month after she called 911 Upon extinguishing the blaze, firefighters located a deceased individual inside the home. Their identity was not immediately released.  No injuries to firefighters

Climate change and generations of US housing and development policy are making homes, neighborhoods, and entire municipalities riskier to insure, undermining the ability of Americans to live where they choose.  The current face of this crisis is a nationwide withdrawal by the insurance industry from regions threatened by wildfires and hurricanes, particularly along the Gulf Coast and California.  Body of missing California woman found in desert a month after she called 911 While there are other factors at play, this retreat is largely driven by the collision of climate change with long-term federal decisions to incentivize ever more expensive homes in riskier areas.  A structure is engulfed in flames as a wildfire called the Highland Fire burns in Aguanga, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File) But insurance is just one manifestation of a larger problem, experts told The Hill, a canary dropping from its perch in the coal mine, warning of more significant dangers rising out of sight.  And in a country whose economy is among the most unequal in the rich West, the cost of that danger falls increasingly on those least

By Kelsie Hoffman April 3, 2024 / 12:10 PM EDT / CBS News National Teacher of the Year revealed Missy Testerman, a teacher for over 30 years, is the National Teacher of the Year 06:07 Missy Testerman has been educating young minds for more than 30 years.  Her hard work has paid off with a distinctive honor: Testerman was named 2024 National Teacher of the Year. It is selected by the Council of Chief State School Officers. The news was first announced on CBS Mornings. Testerman is a longtime elementary school teacher at Rogersville City Schools in Rogersville, Tennessee. “There are 3.5 million teachers in this country, so to be named as the teacher who gets to advocate for our teachers and our students is just an incredible honor,” she said. In a tribute video to her years of hard work and support as an educator, a former student told CBS Mornings, “she makes everyone feel important.” Testerman has previously taught first and second grades, and is currently the English as a second language program director. Testerman said she wanted to be a teacher when

Speaker Mike Johnson will be the featured attraction at a Newport Beach dinner Wednesday raising funds to attempt to elect more Republicans to the House. Tickets range from $1,000 — which admits one person to the 6 p.m. dinner — to $50,000, which purchasers are designated as event chairs and receive two dinner tickets with head table seating, two tickets to a 5 p.m. VIP reception and the opportunity to take a picture with Johnson, R-Louisiana, according to an invitation obtained by City News Service. Other ticket packages are priced at $3,300, the individual contribution limit to a candidate for one election, $6,600 and $25,000. Reps. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills, and Michelle Steel, R-Seal Beach, are also set to attend, along with former Assemblyman Scott Baugh, who is seeking the 47th District seat which Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, relinquished to unsuccessfully run for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Dianne Feinstein, and small business owner Matt Gunderson, who is challenging Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, which straddles Orange and San Diego counties. Kim, Steel, Baugh and Gunderson are among the beneficiaries of